God Has A Plan

Today, January 4^th, is a very special day. It is 83^rd birthday of my father, Clarence “Frank” Franklin. It is special because he is special. But, it is also special because he is celebrating the third birthday since given a death sentence by the doctor. “Stage 4 Non-Hogkin’s Lymphoma,” they said. “Three to six months,” they said.

The wisdom of man is nothing when God has another plan. God wasn’t finished with my dad. There were more people to be blessed by him; more wisdom to be shared by him; more love to be given by him.

As the New Year begins, do you know God’s plan for you? Perhaps you have a broken heart.  God the Comforter, has a plan. Perhaps your bank account is dangerously low. God the Provider has a plan. Perhaps your health is failing. God the Healer has a plan. Perhaps you have lost your way. God the Redeemer has a plan. Perhaps you are alone. God the Father has a plan.

If you have lived to see another year, rest assured it is because God has a plan for your future. He will restore, refresh and renew you as you learn to rest in Him. You will grow strong and wise as you learn to hear His voice in the quiet places. You will be blessed and be a blessing as you lean into His promise for a full life. It may not look like the life you planned for yourself, but as you place your trust in Him, you will discover that His plan is far richer than you could have imagined.

Moms and Dads, make this year the one you will always remember as the one where you stopped listening to the world and started listening to God. Make this the year where you blocked out all the noise to find time with Him daily. Make this the year when you model the beautiful, selfless love God intends in a marriage. Make this the year when your trust is without borders. Make this the year that you apply God’s Word to your life and teach your children to do the same. Make this the year that you discover God is faithful. Make this the year of growth as you walk ever closer to Him.

Start each day with a prayer for God’s direction and an awareness of any deceptive thoughts that keep you from following Him. This prayer of David is a good beginning…

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,

 for I have put my trust in You.

Show me the way I should go

 for to you I entrust my life.”

Psalm 143:8